SAVE ENERGY (and $$)

One of the easiest resolutions to nip in the bud right now is to save energy and money by installing an electricity monitor like the Kill-a-Watt. If your TV and other appliances have power-save modes, make sure that they're all turned on, and switch out your light bulbs to CFLs or LEDs. You'll definitely want to continue being mindful about turning off your lights and appliances when they're not in use during the rest of the year, but making these small changes right now will get you off to a great start.

GET A BETTER JOB (or just get a job)

Advancing professionally is a goal that many people set for themselves at the beginning of the year but with unemployment so high, even finding a job to begin with is tough these days. If you’ve been wanting to make more money, do something more rewarding or heck, just secure a place in the job force, obtaining LEED accreditation or other green credentials is a surefire way to make your resume look better. Unlike many other sectors, green jobs are actually on the rise, so if you’re looking to find a fulfilling career, better pay and job security, check out some of the coolest green jobs here.

STOP WASTING FOOD

Can you still hear your parents telling you to think of all of the starving children every time you trash that takeout you forgot to finish? With our busy lifestyles and so many yummy offerings at the supermarket, it’s pretty easy to end up literally throwing away pounds of food and money each week, a practice that is as bad for the environment as it is for your wallet. The good news is that all it takes to fix this problem is a little bit of a design change in your refrigerator. By setting up a fridge triage box, you can modify your behavior and that of your family by making it super obvious what needs to be eaten pronto before it goes bad. As simplistic as it may seem, this small addition to your kitchen can make a big difference in the amount of CO2 that results from food waste as well as on your annual grocery budget.